Friday's Top Stories

posted by Tank Spencer -
Dec 14, 2018

Judges Reject Pipeline Permit Approval

A three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals says the U.S. Forest Service did not do its job in approving a permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to cross two national forests. The panel ruled unanimously against the permit that would allow pipeline construction on part of the Appalachian Trail, writing "the Forest Service abdicated its responsibility to preserve national forest resources." A spokesperson for Dominion Energy, the company leading the project, said they will seek a hearing before the full 4th Circuit court. The pipeline is to run natural gas from West Virginia to Robeson County, North Carolina.

Kevin Keatts Extended By State

NC State basketball coach Kevin Keatts is locked up through the 2023-2024 season. The school is giving Keatts a six-year contract extension and giving him a $400,000 raise. Keatts will now make $2.7M per year. In his first 42 games at NC State Keatts has won 29 games. Last year he tied the school record for most wins as head coach in his first year. The 8-1 Wolfpack play Penn State Saturday at 2p. Coverage from the Wolfpack Sports Network begins on 570 WWNC at 1p.

Top House Republican Pushes Bond For Schools

North Carolina state House Speaker Tim Moore says he's going to ask his fellow lawmakers to back a $1.9 billion public school bond referendum that would go on the ballot in 2020. Moore says he plans to travel the state to promote the bond proposal. He says two-thirds of the revenue would go to K-12 public schools and the rest would go to UNC system schools and community colleges. A statement from Moore said the proposal has the initial backing of state schools Superintendent Mark Johnson.

NC Teacher Dies During Fire Drill

Class was canceled at an elementary school in Perquimans County Thursday, after a 5th grade teacher dropped dead during a school fire drill. Officials aren't saying what the possible cause of death was. 45-year-old Kim Hunter Daugherty was the daughter of Major League Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Jim "Catfish" Hunter.

Man Charged After Missing Woman's Body Found In Backyard

A convicted rapist is now facing a murder charge in eastern North Carolina, after authorities found the body of a missing woman buried in his backyard. The Johnston County Sheriff's Office says 50-year-old Kenneth Wayne Lamm, of Wilson, is charged with the murder of 71-year-old Kathy Thomas, who was last seen alive in late November. Lamm spent 22 years in prison for rape. He's been out since 2012. -0-

Feds Offer Reward For Murder Suspect

US Marshals are on the hunt for a local man connected to a February murder in Henderson County. 26 year-old Davonte Gary Redfern is wanted for the murder of 28-year-old Tristan Kayne Edney, who was shot on Holbert Road on February 22nd. Redfern is also wanted on various charges in Buncombe County. He's described as a 5'7'', 130 lbs, black male. His last known address was Arden. He is considered armed and dangerous. If you have a tip on his whereabouts call 338-9784.